Abstract
REMISSION OF SINS AT THE SHRINE OF A MOSLEM SAINT.—A description of a fair at Pakpattan at the tombs of Bâbâ Farîd Shakarganj, which is quoted in the Indian Antiquary for August, contains several points of interest to the students of religious belief. The great attraction of this annual fair is the opening of the Gate of Heaven. On the death of the Bâbâ, who is credited in story with wonderful powers during his lifetime, it was published far and wide that whoever passed through his tomb between sunset and sunrise on the new moon in August would be forgiven the sins of the past year, and the fair was established for the benefit of the faithful attending at the tomb for this purpose. The fair is attended by worshippers drawn from districts so wide apart as the North-West Frontier and the United Provinces. On the final night when the gate is to be opened, all pilgrims collect outside the gates of the town, which are closed. On the signal by rocket that the sun is set, they are admitted to the town and all night long pass in single file through the tomb. At sunrise the door is shut. On one occasion the police used light switches to strike the people in order to hasten the movements of the crowd. The people, instead of avoiding the blows, courted them, and on inquiry as to the reason, it was stated that the switches represented the sword blades forming the legendary bridge between earth and heaven on which the feet of the faithful are cut, whereas the wicked fall between the gaps in the bridge into hell below. Those, therefore, who were hit by the police switches considered that they had had their feet cut by the swords of the bridge and were doubly sure of the forgiveness of their sins.
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Research Items. Nature 118, 389–390 (1926). https://doi.org/10.1038/118389a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/118389a0